AULA, roč. 19/2011, č. 3, 4

Abstract: The paper takes up the theme of implementation of system-level policy on higher education quality assurance in the Czech Republic. Prior to the analysis, developments bearing on formation and implementation of system-level policies on higher education quality assurance in Western and Central/Eastern Europe are outlined. Given the availability of several studies on accreditation, the analysis centres on two other implementation instruments that have hitherto received much less attention. These instruments are the Higher Education Development Fund and the Development Programmes. Drawing on the theory of implementation instruments, the rationale, functioning, and effects of the Higher Education
Development Fund and the Development Programmes are described and compared. Following the descriptive and comparative part, strengths and weaknesses of both instruments
are identified, and recommendations are given how to ameliorate the identified weaknesses in policy practice.

Abstract: The article examines leaving parental home in selected Central European countries: The Czech Republic, Poland and former German Democratic Republic, in the second half
of the 20th century. The topic is first discussed theoretically and then it gives the basic overview of the life course perspective. The Fertility and Family survey data were analysed using survival analysis. The aim of the study is to compare the timing of leaving parental home and analysing the predictors (with an emphasis on education and family background) of
leaving parental home in selected countries. Although the Central European countries did not offer extreme differences in demographic behaviour at that time, specific similarities and differences in timing leaving home, had been expected and found afterwards.

Abstract: In the Czech Republic an often discussed issue of the last years is the reform of higher education in order to improve university studies. What is often dealt with is a change of the
formula for funding universities, which brings along increasing requirements of research activities of academic staff and improvement of their qualification. Compared to faculties of
natural sciences, medicine and technology, faculties of education are more influenced by these changes because up to now the academic staff ’s performance has been focused on training of future teachers and less oriented to science and research. The pressure on the change of financing of universities, the decreasing demographic curve and the pressure on science and research influence also the quality of organizational climate at workplaces. In the presented text, theoretical starting points are analyzed that help set the perception of organizational climate of faculties of education by academic staff as an outcome of changes in the Czech higher education. The text presents only central terms and selected characteristics of organizational climate, also the survey of some empirical studies important for our needs is brief, not attempting for their completeness. In the conclusion, objectives of our research project are articulated in order to motivate the reader to follow reports on the progress and outputs of our research survey; but what is also outlined are ways to reach them and the specifics of academic environment which must be considered in the research. Nevertheless we are still at the very beginning.

Abstract: The present essay presents some of the preliminary results of the GA CR project P407/11/1306 entitled „Evaluation of educational materials for distance learning and e-learning“. The project is focused on the evaluation of educational materials used within the implementation of distance learning forms. They are both classic materials with the text as the bearer of the educational content as well as modern electronic materials, with the educational content being born by multimedia element, simulation, and virtual reality, too. The main objective of the project is thus the creation and validation of a system of evaluation criteria via which it will be possible to evaluate classical distance learning texts, electronic distance learning texts, multimedia distance learning texts and virtual simulation in six basic areas.
The subject project has already reached the stage where it is possible to introduce some partial results of its solution, which is also the subject of presented paper. These are mainly the results of theoretical analysis of current systems for assessing e-learning courses and distance learning, which are used in it. Based on this comparison it was possible to define and validate a pilot system for evaluating electronic study supports used in distance education, implemented through e-learning, based on an educational research survey, which itself was based on the use of multidimensional statistical methods.

Abstract: The paper is devoted to a detailed description of the range of provided student loans in Slovakia and it compares existing systems of the student loans. We have focused on a publicly regulated loan system and a private system of bank loans. The paper also presents a simulation of payment models with respect to mentions systems using concrete data.

Abstract: Last year I conducted research on measuring user satisfaction with the learning management system. I focused on the Moodle LMS and the Faculty of Economics VŠB-TUO. The aim of my work was to measure user satisfaction with features of the LMS system, then determine how these properties are relevant to users. Also, I wonder how users are satisfied with the services provided and factors as for them these important factors. I also was interested in what means of communication for users to use their work, whether students should be able to create your own course and what would it be of interest, etc. For the purpose of my research, I have created in Moodle e-learning course in which I conducted a survey. In addition to questionnaires, I was in the course accessible forums and polls, where users can comment on the Moodle system. Research participated 52 teachers and 161 students. The results of research, including proposals and recommendations for improving the current situation are freely accessible on website http://moodle.vsb.cz.